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State faces critical highway needs

Mike Gousha says with the transportation funds declining, the candidates for governor aren't saying much about how they would pay for highway building and repair.

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Updated: 9:00 AM CDT Sep 7, 2014

State faces critical highway needs

Mike Gousha says with the transportation funds declining, the candidates for governor aren't saying much about how they would pay for highway building and repair.

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Updated: 9:00 AM CDT Sep 7, 2014

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WEBVTT THERE ARE TWO SEASONS IN WISCONSIN, WINTER, AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION. I WAS RIGHT AT THAT BY DRIVING TO AND FROM MILWAUKEE. MOST OF US AGREE THAT MAINTAINING HIGHWAYS ARE ROADS, NUMBER DOES IS A BIG DEAL. THAT WILL MAINTAIN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IS CRITICAL TO THE STATE ECONOMY. WHY THEN IS THERE SO LITTLE TALK IN THIS YEAR'S GOVERNOR'S RACE ABOUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING THE STATE -- HOW WE PAY FOR THAT ONE FOR CENTURY OVER STRUCTURE? MORE FUEL-EFFICIENT CARS ARE TRANSLATED INTO LESS GAS TAX REVENUE. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION DEPARTMENT FACES A $680 MILLION DEFICIT IN THE NEXT BUDGET. $50 BILLION DEFICIT 10 YEARS FROM NOW. THERE ARE WAYS TO PAY FOR OUR NEEDS, YOU CAN ALWAYS BORROW MORE MONEY. ALTHOUGH POLLS SHOW THE PUBLIC DOESN'T LIKE THAT IDEA. YOU CAN RAISE THE GAS TAX FIVE CENTS A GALLON. YOU COULD RAISE REGISTRATION FEES, INSTITUTE MILEAGE-BASED FRUSTRATION FEES, OR CREATE TOLLS AT SOME POINT. THE TOLL IDEA SEEMS TO HAVE THE MOST PUBLIC SUPPORT. THE CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE AREN'T ANXIOUS TO ENDORSE HIGHER TAXES OR FEES. THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE DISCUSSION OF WHAT WILL HAVE TO HAPPEN IN THE YEARS AHEAD. THE TOPIC IS ALSO NOT TERRIBLY SEXY. BUT IT IS IMPORTANT. ALL OF US, AND PEOPLE IN WISCONSIN, DESERVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CANDIDATE'S VISION FOR TRANSPORTATION, AND HOW THEY PLAN TO PAY FOR IT. MAYBE A QUESTION FROM ONE OF THE UPCOMING DEBATES. THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TODAY. I'M MIKE GOUSHA. I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK, ON

State faces critical highway needs

Mike Gousha says with the transportation funds declining, the candidates for governor aren't saying much about how they would pay for highway building and repair.